“Tudor times were strict” I hear you say. Tudor Primary School reminds us of a time when education was a privilege. Let’s step back in time and explore the fascinating world of Tudor education. We will see how it contrasts with what Tudor Primary School offers today.
In Tudor England, going to school wasn’t as common as it is now. Only wealthy families could afford to send their children to school. But some poorer children got a chance if there were free spots.
Boys often started at Petty School around age four. They learned to read and write. Petty might come from the French word “Petit” meaning little. These schools were run by locals. Classes were often held in the teacher’s house not in a formal school.
At seven, boys could attend Grammar School. They studied Latin mathematics logic and rhetoric. Rhetoric was the art of public speaking. Girls could attend Petty School. But they were usually barred from Grammar Schools. They were expected to help with housework.
After Grammar School boys could go to university around age fourteen. School life was strict. Children attended six days a week. Classes started early at 7 am in winter and 6 am in summer. The school day ended late around 5 pm or 6 pm.
What they learned depended on the monarch at the time. During Henry VIII’s reign they studied maths literature and geography. In Elizabethan times they learned Greek logic history poetry and law.
Students were required to speak Latin at school. Misbehavior was met with whipping. Corporal punishment was normal. Wealthy families sometimes hired a “whipping boy.” A poorer child would take the punishment for the rich child.
Royal children had private tutors. They learned Latin Greek French reading and writing. Girls in royal families also had a chance to be educated. Elizabeth I and Lady Jane Grey loved learning. They knew several languages. Other girls learned practical skills. These included sewing embroidery dancing and music. They were also taught household duties. These skills were essential for women at that time.
Learning materials included the hornbook. This was a wooden board with the alphabet or Lord’s Prayer. It was covered with a transparent layer of cow’s horn. Parchment was expensive. So hornbooks were more practical for learning.
Poorer children who couldn’t attend school became apprentices. They started around age seven to nine. Apprenticeships lasted seven years. Parents paid a tradesman to take on their child. The child lived in the master’s house and was fed. After training apprentices received tools for their trade. They could then earn money themselves. They could even start their own businesses.
Consider the differences between then and now at Tudor Primary School. Education is now accessible to many more. Corporal punishment is banned. The curriculum is broader.
Reflect on how far education has come. Tudor Primary School stands as a testament to progress. It provides a nurturing environment for all children to learn and grow.